The Center on Halsted ( COH ) had an Aha Moment on Oct. 23 as Mutual of Omaha Illinois Division Office agent and LGBTQ ally David Tucci personally delivered a $1,500 check to the Center's CEO Modesto "Tico" Valle.
The "Aha Moment" was a Mutual of Omaha national television campaign that asked people from across the country to talk about a turning point in their lives during which they had an epiphany of wisdom of clarity that helped to change or shape their futures in some way.
Those videos were then voted upon via a social-media campaign. Tucci's video was promoted by the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commercewhere he holds a seat on the board.
Tucci's Aha Moment was the sudden death of his longtime childhood friend Joe Ruscittia development that took him into the insurance business after a 30-year career in media sales. "One of the things I learned about him was that he didn't plan that well for his family and I thought maybe I could help people on my own," he said in the video.
When his story won, Tucci immediately knew the community in which he wanted to invest the money. "My eldest brother is gay. A year-and-a-half ago, my daughter came out and I've been very supportive of her," Tucci told Windy City Times. "It's crazy in this day and age that we still have classifications. Prejudice against gays? Don't they put their pants on the same way I do?"
"Straight allies are so important to our communities," said Center on Halsted Individual Giving Officer Eric Wilkerson. "It was inspirational when David reached out."
Wilkerson added that conversations with Tucci as to where the money will go are ongoing but will most likely be focused upon the organization's youth programming.
To see David Tucci's Aha Moment, visit www.davidtucci.com .